The Yorkville Enquirer of March 6, 1879 reported – “The Fireman’s Engine House and Hall have been completed and the fireman propose to celebrate tonight with a supper and wine collation. via S.G. Keisler.”
The Rock Hill Herald reported on Sept. 18, 1884 – “The freight depot has been completed and it is probable that Mr. Heyward will move into it this week.”
The Yorkville Enquirer reported on June 29, 1887 – “The Town of Rock Hill will build an engine house on the corner of Railroad and Main Street. It will be brick with a tin roof.”
The Herald reported on July 7, 1887 – “The steam fire engine recently purchased from the Silsby Company is expected to arrive soon and the house in which it will be kept is being erected on Depot Street. A cistern 20 ft – 12 wide – and 10 feet deep is being dug nearby.” The editor of the Herald suggested the engine should be named, “The James M. Ivy”. Later on July 14th the paper reported – “The Rock Hill Steam Fire Company was organized last week with Major A.H. White as Pres., J.H. Miller as Sec. and Treasurer, and J.F. Reid, Foreman. They voted to name the new engine – Marion Jones in memory of the young daughter of Capt. Allen Jones who died recently and to honor the long service of Capt. Jones as a fire fighter. He is the only surviving member of the first fire company organized in Rock Hill.” Later on July 28th the paper further reported – “The steam fire engine arrived on Thursday of last week. The fire company made a test of the new engine in the rear of Roddey and Co., new store. Within five minutes the engine made enough steam to throw a steady stream of water as high as the nearby houses. It was then taken to Friedheim’s Pond where a better supply of water gave a better result. The engine was made by the Silsby Manufacturing Co., of Seneca Fall, N.Y.” Later on July 13 the paper reported – “At a meeting of the Rock Hill Hook and Ladder Co., it was decided to reorganize and to change the name to the Rock Hill Steam Fire Company.”
The Yk Enquirer reported on Sept. 14, 1887 – “Rock Hill has completed its second cistern on Main Street. It has a capacity of 18,000 gallons.”
The Herald on Feb. 22, 1893 reported – “The City Council will place a fire alarm bell on the Marion Jones Engine House. The bell will weight 725 lbs., and is guaranteed to be heard five miles away.”
The Yorkville Enquirer reported on Sept. 6, 1895 – “The contract has been let to Mr. William Mitchell for erection of the fire alarm and hose tower. It will be 55 ft high with a flag staff extending an additional 15 ft. From this staff the weather signals will be displayed. The alarm bell will be operated by means of electricity from the power house.”
City Directories and History: 1908 – Freight Station (Agent – Broadus E. Waldrop, boarding at #304 East Black St.), 1946 – Trade Street Barber Shop, Southern Railway Company Freight Station, 1966 – Trade Street Barber Shop (moved to #144 N. Trade St.)
The Herald reported on Jan. 31, 1899 – “A large fire on Jan. 29th in downtown Rock Hill. Bales of cotton on the Southern Depot Platform caught fire and later flames spread to the building of the RH Construction Company. The entire building was destroyed. The flames them spread to the R.T. Fewell Warehouse and the dry kiln of Mr. Holler.
In the Fewell Warehouse 316 bales of cotton were destroyed. The fire almost spread to the stable and the roller mill. Mr. S.J. Brown of the Rock Hill Roller Mill and his men managed to stop the fire there. They also saved Mr. Brown’s House. The Rock Hill Construction Co., was the property of Mr. L.L. Clyburn of Westville. Mr. Holler lost $1,000. in materials.”
The 1908 Rock Hill City Directory states that – Rock Hill Ice Company (Corner of White and Annafrel) Manager is Sample C. Campbell, (512 East White).
The Herald reported on Sept. 3, 1902 – “Workman are engaged in placing new flooring on the platform at the Southern freight depot.”
The Rock Hill Record reported on May 9, 1907 – “Mr. (J.M.) Cherry suggested to the street committee of the city that a sidewalk be laid on the westside of Railroad Ave., from Main Street to the Depot. He also suggested that the old engine house (Fire Dept.), and bell tower be removed.”
The Herald reported on April 6, 1942 – “The Trade St., Barber Shop has moved two doors north to the corner of Trade and White Streets.”
The City of Rock Hill began their urban renewal project to transform the city in the late 1960s and it continued into the early 1970s. It involved the demolition of
hundreds of homes and private businesses in the African American area as well as the East Black, West Black, Johnston, Hampton, and Trade Street corridors were all affected. Within a short span, nearly 40% of Rock Hill’s older downtown buildings were destroyed to provide economic opportunities, benefiting a few businessman. As part of this action, the railroad lines were moved and a new bridge crossing over Black Street was built to also alleviate traffic jams created by trains but in doing so, the old Rock Hill Depot building was also razed.
But the most transformative aspect of the move was to add municipal buildings to the landscape; the Rock Hill City Hall, the Center for Aging, the Library and the Rock Hill Police Department buildings.
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